Uttaradit organized a spiritual tourism event to jointly welcome the Thai New Year during the Songkran Festival. Lottery enthusiasts were excited when the "lucky number" from incense divination lost the digit 7 to the wind, and the remaining number matched the fortune stick.
On 30 March 2026, a reporter received information from Mrs. Narueorn Mahathanakom, Chairwoman of the Tha Pla Tourism Group, Uttaradit Province, who welcomed tourists after organizing a spiritual tourism (Mu-Teloo) event. The community united to open check-in points and launch a campaign to welcome the Thai New Year or Songkran Festival to stimulate the community's economy and tourism. This was because the ancestors of Tha Pla District had migrated to the government-allocated area over 50 years ago but have preserved and maintained their beliefs and faith for descendants and tourists to study.
The atmosphere excited tourists as the village of Ruam Jai, Ruam Chit Subdistrict Municipality, Tha Pla District, discovered a source of Kaew Pong Kham (sacred quartz stones) and mined them for cutting into jewelry. According to belief, Kaew Pong Kham is a sacred stone with unique energy, naturally formed, protecting from danger, ensuring safety, attracting kindness, popularity, trade success, and fortune, which caused a stir.
The community has preserved a large Kaew Pong Kham measuring 35 centimeters long and 15 centimeters high, resembling a giant clam shell. The stone sparkles beautifully and strikingly. It has been kept for 10 years since its discovery. It is believed to enhance life energy, mind, and protection from negative forces. Despite offers of high prices, it has not been sold. Tourists, after learning about the stone's properties, choose to buy jewelry made from Kaew Pong Kham to carry or give as souvenirs, believing in its Buddhist virtues. It is a popular community product.
After enjoying the natural wonder, it was time to visit the temple for worship and blessings at Wat Had La Nuea, Village No. 3, Ruam Chit Subdistrict Municipality. Inside the Lanna-style viharn is the principal Buddha statue known as “Luang Pho Pak Daeng” wooden Buddha. The people of Tha Pla collectively moved this wooden statue from their old home, now flooded due to the construction of Sirikit Dam. Being wooden, it was movable and is over 100 years old.
The viharn also contains murals depicting local traditions and a portrait of Luang Pho Tiw, an early revered monk of Tha Pla. Outside stands a unique elephant-headed Naga, the only one in Uttaradit Province. Locals and tourists commonly bring flowers and garlands to pay respects and pray for blessings in work, trade, and fortune.
The reporter noted that inside the viharn, incense and candles are prohibited due to the wooden structure. Instead, fortune sticks are available for visitors to focus their prayers and shake for divination. One tourist drew the number 27. Afterwards, they lit incense for divination in front of a large bronze statue of Luang Pho Thuat at the viharn's entrance. This caused excitement when the number revealed on the incense sticks was 727, but the wind blew away the digit 7, leaving 27, matching the fortune stick number. Spiritual believers and gamblers considered this a lucky number and used it to play the government lottery for the 1 April 2026 draw.
After feeling fulfilled with the sacred Kaew Pong Kham stone and having prayed and obtained the lucky number for gambling, it was time to enjoy local seasonal dishes at Mon Oon Hom Stay. The unique menu, available only once a year, features red ant eggs in various forms: red ant egg salad, red ant egg chili dip, red ant egg soup, vegetable curry with red ant eggs, red chili paste with sweet vegetables and boiled seeds, and fried pork belly served with warm sticky rice. Afterwards, guests can rest at Mon Oon Hom Stay. The menu changes seasonally, and tourists can customize their choices.
Mrs. Narueorn Mahathanakom, Chairwoman of the Tha Pla Tourism Group, said the campaign promotes faith-based tourism in Tha Pla District. Visitors can enhance their luck at sacred sites, experience the lifestyle of Tha Pla residents after relocating due to Sirikit Dam construction, feel fulfilled in spirit, appetite, and comfort. Interested parties can contact 093-553-5516.